LucidSound LS20 Amplified Gaming Headset Review
For the past 8 years or so I have always used a stereo gaming headset. I am a late night gamer and before we got a house that I could have my own "gaming" room, using a surround sound system was out of the question. Normally this worked fine because last gen I only played online games with the Xbox 360. With the current gen that has changed. As an owner of both the PS4 and Xbox One consoles it is difficult to find a stereo headset that not only will work with the sound from the TV but also have a mic for game chat that will work on both systems. I have pretty much always used Turtle Beach and over the past year I used the Ear Force Stealth 500P RX. While this is an outstanding headset for stereo sound with both the PS4 and Xbox One the mic will not work with Xbox. There are models out there from Turtle Beach that will work for both consoles, but they cost $300 plus and really for the average gamer are too expensive. When I first heard about LucidSound I was optimistic. The two founders are from TRITTON Technologies who are well known for high end gaming headsets and their goal with LucidSound was to make high quality affordable headsets for the average gamer and with the LS20 they have done just that.
As soon as you open the box you can feel the quality of the headset. The touch points of the headset itself are made of metal, which I love. They are not all plastic that feels cheap or might break if dropped. The headband is plastic and lined with memory foam and covered with faux leather cross-stitched, giving a look and feel of luxury. The ear cups also have memory foam covered in faux leather that make the headset extremely comfortable during long gaming sessions. I wear glasses and felt no discomfort like I have with other heasets that press too hard ageist my head or even made my ears sweat. Overall, the headset is the lightest and most comfortable headset I have ever worn.
The LS20's are not technically a wireless headset. They do have a battery in them that lasts about 20 hours and is needed for Amplification mode. Since this gen consoles have 3.5mm headset jacks in them (unless you own the first run XB1 controller, then you need a headset adapter), you simply plug the included 3.5mm cable in the headset and controller. Then go into the system settings and adjust the headset game and voice volume and you are set. The included mic works with both PS4 and Xbox One systems. The mic is crystal clear and sounds great on either system. The headset has built in mic monitoring so you can tell if you are talking too loud and the mic even has a light on the end that when muted will light blue to remind you the mute is on. This is the biggest selling point to me. To find a great quality headset that the mic works on both systems is a huge value.
Controls on the headset are very simple and easy to use. There is a power button on the left. When the light is red, the headset is in default mode. This is the mode you would use on a cell phone, PC or any other device that accepts 3.5mm headsets. Hold the power button, it will turn blue for PS4 mode and hold it again for purple, that is Xbox mode. On the left side is the removable mic (there is a built in mic for cell phones) as well as the USB port for charging. The left ear cup contains the volume wheel that you use to turn the volume up and down. If you press the left ear up, it will mute all audio. On the right side is a base boost button and if you press the right ear cup you can mute the mic. Straight up and really simple, the controls are easy to use and remember.
Overall these are an outstanding pair of headsets. At $99 they are very affordable, easy to use, comfortable and compatable with just about any device. The ear cups are smaller than most headsets at only 40mm, but they are extremely comfortable and sound crystal clear. If you are looking for a little bigger headset the LS30, which is wireless and has 50mm speakers, would be for you, but don't let these little guys fool you. It may not have 5.1 simulated surround sound or dolby digital but it doesn't need it. It has outstanding stereo sound and tremendous build quality at a affordable price. If you are looking for a headset that works on both Xbox One and PS4 then look at the LS20, they are the best headset out there, hands down.
5 out of 5
Thanks to LucidSound for providing the product for review